Lebanese Army Says It Seized Weapons and Ammunition in Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

The Lebanese Army said on Friday, November 13, that its Intelligence Directorate raided a weapons depot in Mashrafiyeh, in Beirut’s southern suburbs, and seized weapons and military ammunition. The army said the operation followed close surveillance and monitoring of weapons transfers and trafficking. The army described the seizure as “a large quantity of weapons and military ammunition.” Its statement said one Lebanese citizen was detained during the operation. The seized material was handed over, and an investigation of the detainee began under the supervision of the competent judicial authorities. The announcement follows earlier Lebanese government decisions on state control of weapons. On April 9, Cabinet decision No. 13 instructed the army and security agencies to strengthen full state control over Beirut Governorate immediately. The decision called for weapons to be held only by legitimate forces, enforcement of the law and referral of violators to the judicial authorities. In a letter dated April 14 to the United Nations, Lebanon’s permanent representative, Ahmad Arafa, also recalled the government’s March 2 decision prohibiting Hezbollah’s military and security activities and requiring it to surrender its weapons. The letter linked that decision to rocket and drone launches toward Israel.